We learned so much in 2023 from talented guest speakers @ our meetings. We were lucky to have the opportunity to listen to folks who bring a wealth of education, experience, and passion for pottery. Check out some highlights below of presentations, potter history, & inspiration.
October 14, 2023
  • Clemarie Thomas, BFA in sculpture and ceramics from UNCG, gave a presentation with the subject “What’s going on with my glaze and how can I prevent problems”. She illustrated her research and exploration she pursues with visual aids. The extensive test tiles collection made over the past few years were part of her discussion. She made a starter base glaze to help the audience understand the principles. She is a functional ceramics maker as well, and there was tableware items available for sale. You can find more info on Clem in her instructor bio.
August 12, 2023
  • Brett McDonough, Art Alliance of Greensboro Instructor, demonstrated different slip trailers and some altering on the wheel techniques. Brett has been working with clay since he was fourteen, after signing up for a “Studio Crafts” class with Mr. Whit at Watauga High School. Brett was so inspired by Mr. Whit’s humor and skill that he decided to pursue ceramics while attending Guilford College. At Guilford, Charlie Teft introduced him to many different ceramic techniques and encouraged Brett to incorporate his love of animation, illustration and sculpture with more traditional functional ceramic methods. Throughout college, he also worked at Doe Ridge Pottery in Boone, under Bob Meier as a production assistant.
  • After Guilford, Brett went on to create and sell his work professionally while also teaching adults and children at The Art Alliance, The Center for Visual Artists, YWCA High Point, Guilford County Schools, Watauga High School, Craft Enrichment at Appalachian State University and New Garden Friends School. He is currently back in Greensboro working on rebuilding his personal pottery practice.
May 13, 2023
  • Susan O'Leary demonstrated making a hand-built cylindrical vase with alterations and additions using a template and a form. She used a similar cylinder to show how to make/coil a handle in an innovative way for a mug or a pitcher. She demonstrated two different techniques for surface decoration with slips and with stamps. She provided small tiles to attendees, for a demo of photo copy transfer onto the tiles.
  • Susan grew up in Detroit, Michigan. Her Italian family nurtured her love of gardening, food, and people, which inspired her pottery. The gathering of people together in celebration, the harvest from a garden (be it flowers or food), the simple meal shared, are traditions that have continued with her family and friends. Some of her whimsical pots reflect the nuances of the people who gather or nature in the gardens and wooded areas around her home. Presentation in the garden and on the table is important to Susan. Her pottery occupies quiet places in her garden, on her table, or in her home.
  • In 1996 Susan took a ceramics class at the Art Alliance of Greensboro, NC. As soon as her hands touched the clay, she had found her life’s passion. Her education in ceramics has continued at Guilford College (Greensboro, NC), Sawtooth School for Visual Art (Winston-Salem, NC), Penland School of Crafts (Penland, NC), and with Susan Snyder in Bloomington, IN. Workshops with Ellen Shankin, Lisa Orr, Suze Lindsay, Kent Mc Laughlin, Michael Simon, Byron Temple, Sunshine Cobb and others have enhanced her exploration in clay. Susan feels that there is always something more to learn or try when clay is the medium.